David Cameron’s official spokesman said it was “good for the economy” that the Coalition was helping parents to pay high nursery fees so that they could overcome “obstacles” to work.

The comments, made before new GDP figures are issued, provoked claims that the Government is “obsessed” with improving the economic measure at the expense of family life. Ministers have been reluctant to link their plans to encourage mothers back to work with economic growth for fear of being seen as prejudiced against stay-at-home parents.

City analysts have predicted that growth data will show that Britain has narrowly avoided slipping into a “triple-dip” recession.

Any growth, however, is expected to be negligible and is likely to increase pressure on George Osborne to adopt a “plan B” and relax his austerity programme.

In last month’s Budget, the Chancellor announced a system of tax breaks to help parents with nursery costs. But the plan, which will replace the vouchers regime, will exclude stay-at-home mothers and will give the greatest benefit to families who use child care the most.